First Drive

What is it?

The mid-range 138bhp 2.0 CDTi Ford Focus. We have already found out that the new Ford Focus remains one of the best family hatches out there, but in the guises we’ve so far tested it has lost some of the precision and energy that its predecessors specialised in. Predictably the same can be said of this model, which that we’re testing here for the first time.

What’s it like?

Expected to account for less than 10 per cent of sales in the UK this motor does have some very worthwhile strengths over the 114bhp oil burner that will be the volume seller.

Peak torque of 236 lb ft arrives from 1750rpm through to 2750rpm, which allows it to sit in high gears around town with relative ease and respond well without requiring much stirring of the well-judged and solid-shifting six-speed manual (the Powershift ‘box is an extra £1250).

It avoids the inertia that the smaller, lower powered diesel engine suffers from, spinning freely and responding quickly enough to the throttle. Work it hard and it can become vocal, but in general use it’s tyre noise that is the more intrusive background hum, with the engine settling to an impressively subdued hush when in its lower rev range.

The result is that this is one of the more pleasant Focus models to drive, particularly for long motorway miles. Yes, the artificial-feeling steering and merely composed rather than engaging dynamics are a disappointment but in most ways the Focus is exactly what it needs to be. Stable, refined and calming.

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Should I buy one?

This 2.0 TDCi engine is available in Zetec trim or above, and is priced competitively against the obvious rivals – noticeably cheaper than the Golf. In terms of how it drives this is one of the best engines in the Focus range and one of the best cars in the class. The equivalent Golf’s marginally better economy in GT trim (or vastly superior in 2.0 TDi Bluemotion form) could swing many in VW’s favour, but the Focus still has the ability to make extremely ordinary travel thoroughly enjoyable.

Interior, just disgusting. Two different people appear to have designed it, one had a really bad squint.
Exterior, two different people designed ot again, one of them stuck in a timewarp and took influence from Korean cars from 4 years ago
Someone then coloured it in based on the colour of the inside of their child's happy
Incase it isn't clear, not for me

Having taken a good look over a pair of them last week I have to say its a messy looking thing. The exterior is a mish-mash and the interior looks like kiddies play time. It doesn't look like a dash board for grown ups.

The one piece of the design that I dislike most though is the awkward way that the leading edge of the bonnet doesn't match up against the top of the grille. There is an open space there as if they've left something off. It looks very odd to my eyes!

I'll take the Golf or Astra. Or i'd even take a new style C4 which looks ok, if a little too like the first C4.